Use a Day Planner
A day planner can help you manage your time and stay on top of deadlines. To make best use of your day planner, keep it in your briefcase or purse. Take it with you when you go to work, medical appointments and personal engagements. You will get the most out of your day planner if you make it your central source for information and update it regularly.
Instructions
1. Put your contact information in the front. As soon as you get your day planner, write your name, address and phone number in it so it can be returned to you if you drop it or leave it in a meeting.
2. Transfer important names, addresses and phone numbers into the day planner. Alphabetize your contacts by last name. Your day planner should be your go-to resource when you need to make a phone call, write a letter or look up a client's job title.
3. Use the calendar to schedule appointments. If you have an existing calendar that lists upcoming appointments, meetings, birthdays or other notable dates, transfer the information to your day planner.
4. Write down new contacts and appointments as they come up. As soon as you find out about a meeting or appointment, mark that date in your day planner. Even if you have a good memory or have an email notification of an event, write it down so that you keep a complete personal schedule in your planner.
5. Use the "notes" section to write down ideas. Instead of carrying a separate notepad or voice recorder, keep blank sheets in your day planner to record observations, ideas and lists.
6. Make a daily to-do list. Each morning, write out an agenda for that day in your day planner. Make it detailed and include meetings, tasks you need to accomplish and goals for the day. It may be useful to list them in order of urgency.
7. Have a special section for your goals. Keep a list of short-term and long-term plans in the back of your day planner. It will help you stay on track and always remind you what you are working towards.
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